Erase apparatus for use in an electrophotographic copier machine where an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is placed adjacent a plano-convex-cylindrical entrance end of an optical element such that light rays from the LED array are directed through the optical element to its exit end. At the convex-cylindrical exit end, the light rays are directed to the photoconductive surface of the machine. The optical element directs the more intense light rays emitted from the LEDs near the central axis to the edges of the erasure footprint while the less intense rays emitted from the LEDs at larger angles from the central axis are redistributed to the central portion of the erasure footprint.